Traditions and Transitions: Explorations of Chamorro Culture through the Rosary Practice

Chamorros are the indigenous people of the Mariana Islands. This region's long colonial history can be seen in the strong presence of Catholicism. As a part of the Catholic religion, the rosary prayer is used for many occasions including, death. This particular rosary prayer is known in the Chamorro language as a lisåyo. Drawing on twelve interviews, newspaper articles, and several scholarly works I explore how the lisåyo is an important space for examining aspects of Chamorro traditions. Just as these traditions continue to be perpetuated, they are nonetheless in flux, renegotiated in response to the changing socio-economics of Chamorros wherever they may be. One example I discuss is the role of the techa or prayer leader. The role is seen as a powerful position for Chamorro women within their community and continues to perpetuate the Chamorro culture by teaching its language and values. However, this role has undergone changes as perceptions of the techa become feminized in response to larger flows of power such as capitalism, Catholicism, and migration. Due to these continuous forces, the future of the role of the techa and the rosary practice remains unknown as they continue to impact how Chamorros practice and perceive their traditions. As second-generation Chamorros in Southern California reexamine what it means to be Chamorro away from the Mariana Islands, the rosary practice and its future remains unclear. This thesis addresses the concerns and perspectives of Chamorros living on the Mariana Island of Guam and second-generation Chamorros living in Southern California, exploring how these narratives paint a larger picture of Chamorro culture change and adaptation